When Destination Inspires Design

Step inside Calle Ocho’s famous Taquerias el Mexicano and you’ll never assume there’s a design-driven speakeasy upstairs – but there is.

Once you get past the mock candy store adorned with colorful piñatas and authentic Mexican caramelos, you enter a red dim-lit space with tiled tin ceilings, distressed walls, velvet-upholstered banquettes and drapery, and loads of décor imported from south of the border. The team at Miami-based Saladino Design Group are the creative minds behind the popular lounge that opened late last year and has people all over Miami buzzing.

The 3,000 square foot venue branded as an intimate, upscale cocktail lounge features imported hand-painted tiles, a gold leaf ceiling and repurposed doors that were once part of an abandoned church. The design, inspired by Mexican culture, also includes hand-painted Mexican bathroom fixtures.

Arched walls with original brick details are found near the bathrooms which include iron-cast bathroom stalls, wooden doors, and ceramic and metal details. The designers at Saladino also implemented a faux chest of drawers at the bar. Hanging above it, vintage light fixtures from a Mexican church provide just the right amount of lighting.